At some point in her journey, a mother has to make a decision of whether to resort to baby formula for her infant or not. Many factors influence her choice of the shift to the infant powder, viz., marital status, age, social construct, and her confidence, to name a few.
A baby formula aims to provide an optimum healthy substitute for an infant till they are 6 months old postpartum. The most common infant formulas contain protein from cow’s milk whey, fats from vegetable oils, carbohydrates from lactose, and a mix of other vitamins.
Even though the world has warmed up quickly to the use of baby powders, or baby formulas, their nutritional strength is still not comparable to that of a mother’s milk. Mother’s milk is a manifestation of years and years of evolution and caters to the nutritional needs of the infant to the fullest.
Recent times have seen a boom in the demand for baby formulas. But, there have also been instances where the prolonged use of baby formula has resulted in severe health issues.
Health Risks Posed By Infant Formulas
Sodium levels in cow’s milk are toxic for babies. In the case of cow milk, the formula needs extra protein to achieve the optimum level of amino acids required for an infant’s growth.
But this excess protein breaks down during metabolism, and the components get converted into fat. This is precisely the reason that kids tend to ‘grow very fast’ when on infant formula. This condition poses health risks for formula-fed babies in the long run.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis(NCE) is a fatal gastrointestinal condition caused by cow-based infant formula. It occurs almost exclusively in premature infants.
An infant diagnosed with NCE might have inflamed and necrotic colon tissues that result in severe abdominal pain. The damage to the intestinal wall may ultimately result in organ failure or bowel illness. The damaged wall may get perforated, causing sepsis and, ultimately, death of the infant.
A Gameplay Of Big Pharmaceutical Companies
In 2022, Abbott Laboratories recalled its Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare baby formulas from the markets. Many babies who were fed these infant formulas got sick from a bacterial infection, and many even succumbed to death.
FDA investigators visited the Abbott factory in March 2022 that produced the impacted formulae. They found a number of locations that had traces of Cronobacter.
Pharmaceutical giants Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company produce Similac and Enfamil baby formulas. These cause Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a fatal digestive disorder, in premature infants.
These giants are now being sued by the bereaved parents for not disclosing the severe health risks of their cow-based baby formulas.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit
Has your or your loved one’s infant ingested Similac or Enfamil baby powder and been diagnosed with NEC? If yes, then you may qualify for an NEC Baby Formula Lawsuit.
People who have filed lawsuits against the producers of toxic infant formula may be entitled to financial compensation for losses like medical costs, lost wages, pain, and loss of consortium.According to information on TorHoerman Law, LLC’s website, the toxic baby Formula NEC lawsuits are in their nascent stages, increasing with an average of 30 cases per month.
The actual dollar settlements have still not been agreed upon with the manufacturers. The anticipated NEC lawsuit payout and settlement amounts may vary from $5,000 to over $500,000.
Brands Mentioned In The NEC Lawsuits
Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Company are the two major pharmaceutical establishments that have been named in the NEC Baby Formula Lawsuits.
Mead Johnson & Company produces Enfamil, a very famous brand of infant formula. Enfamil Premature and Enfamil EnfaCare are two Enfamil products designed for premature babies and infants with low birth weight.
Abbott Laboratories produce infant formula sold under the brand Similac. Similac Neosure and Similac Pro-Advance are designed especially for premature babies and infants with low birth weight.
These manufacturers of infant formulas did not come clean to their consumers about the potential health risks of their products that target the most vulnerable section of society.
Deadline For Filing The NEC Lawsuit
Toxic baby formula lawsuits fall under product liability lawsuits. The statute of limitations for such lawsuits is two years.
This means that the parents of the infant(s) who are battling NEC have two years to file a claim. The tenure begins from the date of the first diagnosis of NEC in the infant.
The statute of limitations depends on the state you submit your NEC Baby Formula lawsuit in.
Conclusion
Large financial investments go behind extraordinary technological developments and advancements that revolutionize society. These big businesses cannot afford low returns on their substantial investments.
To make commodities appealing to consumers, marketing tactics and advertising become crucial. With new items coming in every minute, every company wants a piece of the consumer pie.
It is your prerogative to stay alert and keep asking questions. The ball is in your court because you are the consumer.
